Learn about Southern Appalachian Loop Trail at REI Tuesday night

Who says there are no new trails to hike? And if there aren't any new ones, make your own.

Matt Kirk of the Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy (a Hendersonville-based land conservancy) will talk about the Southern Appalachian Loop Trail (aka SALT) at 7 p.m. tonight, that's Tuesday, May 20, at REI Asheville, in Biltmore Park.

The Southern Appalachian Loop Trail connects several iconic trails like the Appalachian Trail, Art Loeb, and Mountains-to-Sea Trail, with new segments to create a highlight reel of the Blue Ridge, according to REI.

SALT passes through four states - North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee, and includes classic Southern Appalachian landmarks such as Clingmans Dome in the Smokies, the Chattooga River, Shining Rock, and the waterfalls of DuPont State Forest.

Kirk was the first to hike the entire loop in 2012. He will discuss is The Missing Link, a short section between DuPont State Recreation Forest and Mountain Bridge Wilderness in South Carolina that is not yet open to the public. The Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy is working to acquire the final missing segment of the SALT loop.

The talk is free but registration is required. Register at www.rei.com/event/57249/session/90722.